What does living a “Dream Life” look like?

Some entrepreneurs give the impression that everything is perfecto when they work for themselves. Have you felt that vibe around the interwebs?

Entrepreneurs living the dream life by booking every ideal client they pitch to, reaching Niagara-Falls-level creativity and productivity, working from a perfectly styled desk, sipping something fruity or craft brewed on a beach 96% of the time.

They gush happiness and never seem challenged or frustrated by anything that comes along. Maybe that IS the reality for some entrepreneurs. I don’t know.

Perhaps they’re just concealing the grittiness that surfaces while living out dreams.

Do you ever feel strange when you have a bad day while pursuing your dream life?

When we’re surrounded by highly curated stories of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to wonder if something’s wrong in our own businesses when turbulence comes.

Have you ever thought, ‘I’m living my dream…but why is it so challenging today?’

Maybe you’ve wondered if you’re just not “there” yet because:

you’ve hit a road block while developing your e-course

your child woke up at 3am during the thunderstorm and you’re exhausted as you finish a project (that you love)

the dream client that’s been a breeze to work for misunderstands you

the event you’ve been planning for months had a few hiccups

you’ve developed an awesome online community that’s thriving but it’s almost too much to keep track of and develop new content for

“insert your own reason here”

Embracing Real Entrepreneurship

I’ve been designing since 2006 and escaped my 9-5 two years ago. Running my design business from my home office IS an absolute dream.

I wake up early, sip coffee slowly, warm up with a little watercolor. My husband comes home for lunch; we share turkey sandwiches and he tells me jokes. Afternoon walks are the norm. No longer do I rush to make dinner after an exhausting day away from the house.

I have more time to do what I love. My ‘dream life’ is incredible but I still have challenging days now and again.

With dream living comes the necessity to adapt, overcome obstacles, face fear, and transform as your business grows.

Please know that bad days are okay. Normal even. Expect them. You don’t have to wallow when they show up, just press forward. It doesn’t mean you failed to live your dream life. You’re simply living as a normal human entrepreneur.

Embrace the struggle and triumphs. Embrace the sorrow and joy.
Both are part of life.

My friend Laura tweeted out this quote by Tristan Bishop: “If you’re beat up, don’t give up: rest up, then get up.” Isn’t that soothing as we face a struggles or our business journeys?

What does living a “Dream Life” REALLY look like?

Writer Jeff Goins says this, “Calling takes work. Finding yours will require a fear-facing journey that will last a lifetime.”

And Glennon Doyle Melton shares, “My pain comes and it stays for a while and then it leaves. It leaves me better, bigger, wiser, softer, kinder so I don’t want to avoid it. It is turning me into the me I dreamed of becoming.”

Real entrepreneurship looks like living your purpose on good days and bad — realizing both have something to teach us. Sharing your gifts with the world when it comes naturally and when it’s oh-so-difficult. Making time for hard work, play, and rejuvenation. Reaching out and experiencing success and failures with others – both are part of the journey.